Monday, May 9, 2011

One of my main job duties as EIC of Financefoodie.com is attending events – and I mean lots of them! From restaurant openings to new product launch parties to charity galas – I go wherever and whenever in order to keep my readers up to date on what’s hot in the Boston and NYC area!

It may sound like a fun gig (and I do thank my lucky stars I have the opportunity to do this!), but it can get uber exhausting looking good and fresh for every envelope opening. Since summer is fast approaching, I decided I needed a brand new look for the new season of parties. Luckily, my friends at L’Bel Beauty, Australian Gold, and Goody hair products are only a speed dial away, so they graciously sprinted to my doorstep in helping me achieve my new look!
So check out my transformation from “not” to “hot” (well, better than before) after the jump!

To be honest, I’m pretty (very) lazy about following a beauty routine (I find washing my face a necessary but evil chore), so in an ideal world, this is what I would look like -- sans makeup and products. But on days when I have functions, work meetings, and nighttime events (read: most everyday), I obviously can’t look like I just rolled out of bed. But as mentioned above, I don’t want to spend forever getting ready – so I rely on these basic products to get me looking good fast!

After I wash my face, I apply L’Bel’s Renovance Jour face and neck moisturizer. This crème adds moisture, has anti-aging peptides to minimize wrinkle formation (I might only be in my mid 20s, but it’s never too early to start wrinkle prevention treatments!) and comes with SPF15 sunscreen protection. A 1.7oz jar is $55 (pricey), but basically, I’ve killed three birds with one stone (jar) – so it’s really like three bottles of product in one! And you can take that all the way to the bank!

Since the sunless Boston winters have left me rather Casper the Ghost-like, I rely on Australian Gold’s Spray Gel SPF30. This easy to use subtle bronzer leaves my skin looking like I spent my winter in the Bahamas (when in fact, I really just been cooped up in my apartment next to my space heater). Another plus? This bottle of liquid sun is only about $8 retail – how’s that for a cheap (fake) vacation?

After I add the mascara and eyeliner (I use Diorshow mascara and Urban Decay’s 24/7 glide on eye pencil in Zero, FYI), I finish my face with L’Bel’s Chromatique Eye Shadow and Blush Kit in Gamme Rose. This compact holds nine shades of eyeshadows, but combine all shades and you have a blush! Again – killing multiple birds with one stone! A word of advice: the compact comes with brushes, but these are rather small and difficult to use so I would recommend getting a set of designated blush and eyeshadow brushes (I use Eco-tools brand) to make application easier.

Now that my face is done, all I need are a few accessories for my hair! A “Fringe Benefit” headband from Goody’s new Modern Organica line (available exclusively at Target) is just what I need to complete my look!

Ta-Da! How do I look? Now all I need is a spritz of L’Bel’s new Illimtee orange blossom and German iris scented perfume and I’m good to go!

**********Giveaway**********

Prize Pack #1: Congrats #20 - Bacallsmom

Prize Pack #2: Congrats #2 - speck135les

Since it’s no fun just to look at makeovers, I’m giving two lucky readers the chance to do their own makeovers using L’Bel, Australian Gold, and Goody products! Two readers will receive one of two fun prize packs listed below.